Rapper REBLE, aka Daiaphi Lamare, knows that an iconic rap number must be raw, real and a reflection of the artist. This is exactly what she does with ‘New Riot’, her latest track, which is described as a “high-voltage, synth-driven anthem from one of Northeast India’s boldest voices.”
Hailing from Nongbah, Meghalaya, REBLE takes inspiration from her roots to showcase a heady and defiant intensity with her music, leaning into chaos and rage as sources of power. It’s her refusal “to be boxed in or silenced.” ‘New Riot’ is produced by Parimal Shais with lyrics by REBLE. It’s been composed by Shais and Krishna M Sujith, mixed and mastered by Akash Shravan, and was released on Homegrown Music x Atlantic Records this October.
“It’s a track that pulses with raw energy, distorted synths and a message that everyone needs to hear,” she says. “’New Riot’ isn’t just a song, it’s a declaration. I crafted it when I reached a personal breaking point, and channelled my emotions as a source of power and creativity. The song was born from rage, the kind that makes you feel alive. It’s about giving shape to anger and emotional breakdowns. I don’t believe anger is something to hide. It’s human, raw and unfiltered – a reflection of the universe’s own chaos.”
This synth-heavy, aggressive hip-hop/rap number offers a raw, dominant electronic guitar and bassline reflective of the fiery persona of REBLE. The soundscape is influenced by phonk and Memphis rap, and comes layered with rich tones added in by Krishna M. Sujith of ‘Space Is All We Have’ fame. She explains, “’New Riot’ is more than personal catharsis. It’s an invitation to listeners to confront their own emotions. I believe that music should be felt, not explained. For me, songs are mirrors. You see in them what’s already inside you. Whether one hears anger, freedom or empowerment, the track serves as a reminder that our messy emotions are what makes us real.”
Describing the track as her “truest expression yet”, she admits that it’s part of a larger project exploring themes of chaos, emotion and transformation. “The idea was to create something timeless,” she asserts.
REBLE is part of the new wave of talented artists emerging from India’s North-east. Her music is unapologetically personal, as it’s influenced by her struggles, resilient spirit and urge to rebel. Her most recent taste of success was with the song ‘Lokah’, which received upward of 1.7 million listens and was added to multiple editorial playlists and charts. Apart from making music, REBLE has also performed at Spotify’s Rap 91 showcase and is scheduled to perform at Rolling Loud India 2025, alongside global superstars. Soon, she will embark on a tour in her home region of the seven sisters of North-East India.
Speaking about ‘New Riot’, she says, “The song is about being unfiltered. Not every person can fully express what they do, and people who don’t fit the mould are often underestimated — maybe because they can’t articulate themselves clearly, maybe they stutter, maybe they get anxious. People are sometimes gifted far beyond what they or others can see, and this song is about owning that hidden potential. It’s deeply tied to human rage, which is often criticised, especially in women. Sometimes anger pushes women’s ego and propels them beyond what they think they can do. We need that anger. The courage to be better, to leave bad situations, to uplift ourselves. We need to scream, cry and express ourselves to be human, to be raw. As a woman, I love stepping into this character. REBLE is an alter ego of my true self. The universe is chaotic by nature, and so are we. According to the second law of thermodynamics, the universe is always moving toward disorder, striving for equilibrium. We are just tiny fragments of this universe, mirroring its chaos. I want to embrace that chaos through my human rage. To declare that this is what I’m made of – a tiny reflection of cosmic chaos.”
When asked what’s next on the cards, she shares, “I’m working on plenty more projects that dive into this heavy sound. This song is part of a larger album or EP, in which we’re chasing a classic sound. My biggest influences have always been artists who made me feel something raw — Eminem, André 3000, Red Hot Chili Peppers, MGMT, Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, Pink Floyd. I love music with broad perspective, music that narrates life. These days, I’ve been jamming a lot to artists like $uicideboy$ and Freddie Dredd — sounds that push heaviness to new spaces. I guess I’ve always gravitated toward heavy sounds.”
While ‘New Riot’ is definitely heavier and darker, REBLE refers to it as a personification of her in sound. She shares with candour, “Most of my old projects were trials and errors but this one is me. It’s raw. Like I said, for the first time I’m really feeling it. REBLE is the New Riot.”
She signs off with this sage advice to her listeners, “Keep listening to good music. Keep making life worth its time. Music is therapy — a persona, a voice in our heads. In this chaos, it reminds us who we are. We all need that voice. Don’t stop listening to it.”
Noor Anand Chawla pens lifestyle articles for various publications and her blog www.nooranandchawla.com.
